Horne Critical Of Hobbs’ Veto Of Pingerelli Bill to Keep Cellphones Out Of Classrooms

State schools chief Tom Horne criticized Governor Katie Hobbs’ veto of a bill, sponsored by Arizona State Representative Beverly Pingerelli, that would allow local districts and charters to set a policy restricting the use of mobile devices while students are in class.

Pingerelli’s House Bill 2793, would have directed public schools to adopt policies and enforce procedures to limit access to cell phones during the entire school day, except for emergencies or as directed by a staff member. The bill would also have directed schools to limit access to social media websites on school-provided internet.

Horne emphasized the fact that under the bill, the adoption of policy would be made by the local school authorities.

“Anyone with a minimum of empathy would empathize with teachers who try to teach while students are scrolling on their cell phones,” said Horne. “Every instructional method is precious. A teacher should not have to put up with that interference with instruction.”

“Cell phones have also become the major way in which students are bullied,” Horne added. “It is enough that they get bullied on their cell phones when they’re away from school. It should not be happening while they are in school trying to learn, so that the bullying occurs 24 hours a day. To permit that bullying to go on 24 hours a day shows a lack of empathy for the students.”

“There is a growing body of research that clearly links the use of wireless devices like cell phones to increased negative social harms among our youth,” said Chairwoman Pingerelli. “Arizona middle and high schools today are flooded with students glued to screens. It’s an epidemic that is impacting everything from teen depression and anxiety, increased childhood obesity, and decreased academic achievement.”

A recent poll of Arizona parents on this subject only five percent were unsure. Of the remaining 95 percent, 62.75 percent supported the ban, with 71 percent of those saying it would increase focus on studies and reduce distractions.

Despite no formal opposition and not one person testifying against the bill, Democrats on the House and Senate floor all voted against House Bill 2793. Chairwoman Pingerelli secured the support of the Arizona School Boards Association, the School Administrators Association, and other education groups.

“As a former school board member, I believe in local solutions. This is why my legislation called on school boards to develop policies and procedures to limit the use of devices for students. It called for sensible solutions and reasonable exceptions. The goal is to have personal devices ‘away for the day’ so students can engage and learn. Today, schools feel powerless to enforce even mild restrictions. The results are evident on campuses everywhere.”